The walk starts from the car park at The Red Lion pub, Preston, Herts, post code SG4 7 UD. We should be able to place our lunch orders with the pub from 9.45. The walk, which is a figure of eight, is through delightful rolling countryside on good paths – although the mud quotient will depend on rainfall immediately before our visit. The walk is split around 8 miles am and 6 miles pm.

Directions from Cambridge: take the A10 south to the Royston bypass; turn right onto the A505 and keep on the Baldock bypass, picking up the A1 south for one junction. Leave the A1 at the Stevenage north junction and turn right onto the A602 towards Hitchin. After 3 miles there is a roundabout; take the second turning on the left (Gosmore). After 1.25 miles take the left fork to Preston. The pub is on the village green, GR 180247.

Jill’s phone number on the day: 07793 077230.